ABUJA, Nigeria — In a major move to address one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges, the Nigeria Inherited Blood Disorders Leadership Forum officially kicked off today, February 11, 2026, at the Reiz Continental Hotel.
The two-day summit brings together the nation’s top medical minds, policymakers, and international partners to forge a sustainable path forward for millions of Nigerians living with conditions like sickle cell disease and haemophilia.
A Crisis of Access
Nigeria currently bears one of the world’s heaviest burdens of inherited blood disorders (IBDs). Despite years of donor-funded programs, many patients still face a grim reality: diagnosis is difficult to find, treatment is expensive, and comprehensive care is largely concentrated in urban centers.
Organized by the Nigeria Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NSHBT) and the National Blood Service Agency, the forum aims to shift the narrative from “donor dependence” to “government ownership.”
Five Pillars for Progress
The forum isn’t just a meeting—it’s a call to action. Participants, including Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, are focused on five critical objectives:
1. Budgetary Support: Advocating for dedicated government funding for clotting factors and screenings.
2. Infrastructure: Strengthening specialized Treatment Centres and Sickle Cell Care Units.
3. Coordination: Establishing a government-led Technical Working Group (TWG).
4. Awareness: Presenting hard evidence on the socio-economic impact of these disorders.
5. Partnership: Aligning religious leaders, academic institutions, and patient advocates.
Expert-Led Solutions
The event features a “who’s who” of global and local health leadership. Discussions are expected to cover the full spectrum of care—from newborn screening to innovative research. Notable speakers include:
• Prof. Omolade Awodu, Team Lead for Strengthening Haemophilia Care in Nigeria.
• Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, Director of the Centre for Sickle Cell Disease Research & Training.
• Representatives from the Africa CDC and the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH).
A Sustainable Future
As the NNHF expands its focus to include sickle cell disease alongside haemophilia, the goal is clear: create a healthcare system where a patient’s survival doesn’t depend on their proximity to a donor project, but on a robust national health policy.
By the time the forum concludes tomorrow, organizers hope to have secured a roadmap that integrates blood disorder care into Nigeria’s broader national health agenda, ensuring that “equitable care” becomes a reality rather than a slogan.
